West Valley City, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Valley City, Utah
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The Maverik Center in West Valley City, home of the Utah Grizzlies ice hockey team and the Salt Lake City Stars basketball team.
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| Motto(s):
"Progress as promised."
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Location within Salt Lake County
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 West Valley City, Utah
Location in Utah
West Valley City, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Utah | ||
| County | Salt Lake | ||
| Settled | 1847 | ||
| Incorporated | 1980 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 35.88 sq mi (92.92 km2) | ||
| • Land | 35.83 sq mi (92.79 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 4,304 ft (1,312 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 140,230 | ||
| • Density | 3,913.76/sq mi (1,511.11/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain (MST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) | ||
| Area code(s) | 385, 801 | ||
| FIPS code | 49-83470 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1437843 | ||
West Valley City is a large city in Salt Lake County, Utah. It is a suburb located near Salt Lake City. In 2020, about 140,230 people lived here. This makes it the second-largest city in Utah, right after Salt Lake City.
West Valley City was officially formed in 1980. It brought together four smaller communities: Granger, Hunter, Chesterfield, and Redwood. The city is home to popular places like the Maverik Center and the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre.
Contents
History of West Valley City
The first people known to live in the western Salt Lake Valley were Native American groups. These included the Ute and Shoshoni tribes.
Early European Settlers
European settlers, who were mostly Latter-day Saints (Mormons), arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Joseph Harker and his family were among the first to settle this area. They called it "over Jordan" because it was west of the Jordan River.
Growth of Granger and Hunter
The Granger area was settled by Welsh Latter-day Saints in 1849. They built irrigation systems and started farming. The area was named "Granger" because of its successful farms. By 1930, about 1,000 people lived in Granger.
Hunter was settled later, in 1876. Rasmus Nielsen, Edward Rushton, and August Larsen were some of the first settlers. They started irrigation in 1881 and mainly grew fruit trees.
Becoming a City
West Valley City grew very quickly in the 1970s. The four communities of Hunter, Granger, Chesterfield, and Redwood decided to join together. They officially became West Valley City in 1980.
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, West Valley City hosted the men's and women's ice hockey games.
Developing a Downtown Area
In 2011, the city announced plans to build a new downtown area. It is called Fairbourne Station. This project will cost about $500 million and cover 40 acres. It will include a city hall, a courthouse, police headquarters, and a library. There will also be a hotel, a plaza, and new homes.
The TRAX Green Line light rail and a bus rapid transit stop are part of this new downtown. The Valley Fair Mall and the Maverik Center are also nearby.
Geography and Location
West Valley City covers about 35.5 square miles (91.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
The city is located on the northwest side of the Salt Lake Valley. It is next to Salt Lake City to the north and South Salt Lake to the east. To the west is Magna Township, and to the south are Taylorsville and Kearns Township. The Oquirrh Mountains are to the west, and the Jordan River forms the eastern border.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 72,299 | — | |
| 1990 | 86,976 | 20.3% | |
| 2000 | 108,896 | 25.2% | |
| 2010 | 129,480 | 18.9% | |
| 2020 | 140,230 | 8.3% | |
| source: | |||
West Valley City is a diverse place. Many different groups of people live here.
2020 Census Information
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 76,545 | 69,498 | 61,004 | 70.29% | 53.67% | 43.50% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,090 | 2,254 | 3,720 | 1.00% | 1.74% | 2.65% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1,014 | 1,137 | 1,231 | 0.93% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 4,614 | 6,303 | 7,920 | 4.24% | 4.87% | 5.65% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 3,118 | 4,647 | 6,334 | 2.86% | 3.59% | 4.52% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 75 | 284 | 443 | 0.07% | 0.22% | 0.32% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,314 | 2,465 | 4,300 | 2.12% | 1.90% | 3.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20,126 | 42,892 | 55,278 | 18.48% | 33.13% | 39.42% |
| Total | 108,896 | 129,480 | 140,230 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2010, there were 129,480 people living in West Valley City. About 33.7% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 27 years. Many families live in the city, with 47.1% of households having children under 18.
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Economy and Jobs
West Valley City is home to several important companies. These include Backcountry.com, C.R. England, FranklinCovey, and USANA Health Sciences. Many people in the city work for these and other large companies.
Major Employers
Some of the biggest employers in West Valley City are:
- Discover Financial
- United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Swift Transportation
- Select Portfolio Servicing
- Hexcel
- Verizon Wireless
- West Valley City (the city government itself)
- Sutter Health
- USANA Health Sciences
- Walmart
Education for Students
The city is part of the Granite School District. It has 21 elementary schools, four junior high schools, and two high schools. These high schools are Granger Senior High (opened in 1958) and Hunter (opened in 1990).
West Valley City also has several charter schools. These include East Hollywood High School, which focuses on film education. Other charter schools are American Preparatory Academy and Monticello Academy.
Transportation and Getting Around
West Valley City uses the same address system as Salt Lake City. Major highways like I-215 and SR-201 run through or near the city. The Bangerter Highway also goes through the city, helping people get to different areas. The Mountain View Corridor is in the western part of the city.
The city has a good public transportation system. The Utah Transit Authority operates several bus routes. There is also a major transportation hub in the city center. This hub is near the Valley Fair Mall and the Maverik Center.
The TRAX light rail's Green Line serves the city. It started service in 2011. The city also used to have a bus rapid transit line called the 3500 South MAX, but it was stopped in 2022.
Sports and Entertainment
West Valley City is a hub for sports and entertainment. It is home to the Maverik Center, where you can watch the Utah Grizzlies ice hockey team (ECHL) and the Salt Lake City Stars basketball team (NBA G League).
Other fun places include:
- The Utah Cultural Celebration Center
- Stonebridge Golf Course
- The Ridge Golf Course
- Rocky Mountain Raceways
- USANA Amphitheatre, a large outdoor concert venue
- The Valley Fair Mall
- The Drive-in movie theater
Neighborhoods to Explore
West Valley City has several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own feel.
Eastern West Valley City
This area includes the Redwood, Chesterfield, and East Granger neighborhoods. Many homes here are brick ranch styles built in the 1960s and 1970s. The Westshire neighborhood, south of Valley Fair Mall, has unique homes built in the Mid-Century Modern style. The city is developing a new downtown area called Fairbourne Station in this part of the city.
Central West Valley City
This part includes West Granger and Hunter. It has many homes from the 1960s and 1970s. There are also newer planned communities like Highbury, which has homes, businesses, and a large pond.
Western West Valley City
This area covers West Hunter, Woodhaven, and Oquirrh. Most of the homes here were built in the 1990s and 2000s as part of planned communities. It is mostly residential, with some shopping areas along 5600 West. The USANA Amphitheatre is also located in this part of the city.
Key to the City Honors
West Valley City gives a special "Key to the city" to important visitors. This is a way to honor them. Past people who have received the key include:
- Mayor Yéah Samaké from Ouélessébougou, Mali
- Governor Juan Sabines Guerrero from Chiapas, Mexico
- Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Queen Mother Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe of Tonga
- Axl Rose from the band Guns N' Roses
Sister Cities Around the World
West Valley City has "sister cities" in other countries. These partnerships help build friendships and understanding between different cultures.
Nantou, Taiwan Province, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico
Notable People from West Valley City
Many talented people have come from West Valley City, including:
- Anton Palepoi, a former football player for the Seattle Seahawks
- Matt Asiata, a former football player for the Minnesota Vikings
- John Madsen, a former NFL tight end
- Naufahu Tahi, a former NFL full back
- Khyiris Tonga, a nose tackle for the Atlanta Falcons
- Ray Feinga, an NFL offensive tackle
- Tadd Gadduang, a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
- SHeDAISY, a country music group
See also
In Spanish: West Valley City para niños
